Government
BY BEN THOMPSON
Northwest Austin gains new parkland
Moving forward
The update also comes as Austin’s traditional process for adding parkland alongside new development in the city has been limited, likely reducing the amount of new acquisitions in the next few years. The Parks and Recreation Department doesn’t currently have a timeline for upgrading the new parks, a process that’ll include formal planning with resident input. Robynne Heymans and Scott Grantham, two principal planners with the department, said “informal development” of trails and access points could happen in the next year. The department will notify Austinites when park planning begins. Anyone with ideas for new features at the properties, or others, can submit proposals through the city’s Community Activated Park Projects program.
About seven acres of land are being turned into new public green space across Austin. Parkland conversions are taking place at ve undeveloped properties, which were selected after a department-wide review. The land was previously acquired for environmental protection or water-related initiatives and will continue to be used for those purposes, according to the city. After an Austin City Council vote Oct. 10, bond dollars and other parks funding can now be used to improve the sites. The land is located in or near parts of Austin deemed to be parks-de cient. The city projects the future parks will now serve thousands more residents overall. Two North-Northwest Austin sites were included in the conversations, including 1.14 acres in Northwest Austin and 1.3 acres in Northeast Austin.
Northwest Austin
Future District 10 parkland • 1.14 acres • will receive pocket park amenities • will serve 3,500 new residents
DANWOOD DR.
N
Northeast Austin
Future District 1 greenbelt and park space • 1.3 acres • will add to Walnut Creek Greenbelt system • will serve 2,400 residents
WALNUT CREEK GREENBELT
N
8
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